XTec Won $237.6M Federal Credentialing Contract
The General Services Administration awarded a 10-year contract to modernize federal employee identity and access services.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Remote Work
Live Poll
Do you trust private contractors to securely manage sensitive government infrastructure and personal identity data?
The General Services Administration (GSA) has awarded a $237.6 million contract to XTec for federal credentialing services under its USAccess program. The 10-year deal follows a series of protests and aims to modernize identity management for over 1.15 million federal employees.
Why it matters
This award marks a significant shift in federal identity infrastructure as the GSA moves to implement zero trust architectures and prepare for emerging mobile and post-quantum security standards. For operators, it underscores the ongoing federal transition toward government-owned, contractor-operated service models in high-security technology sectors.
The new 10-year contract carries a ceiling of $237.6 million, significantly higher than the $71.6 million obligated under the predecessor agreement. The program currently provides credentialing services to 1.15 million employees across 100 federal agencies.
The players
General Services Administration
The independent agency of the United States government that manages federal procurement and support services.
XTec
A technology services provider specializing in identity management and secure credentialing solutions.
Peraton
A major government contractor providing specialized technology services and the previous holder of the USAccess contract.
The details
XTec is tasked with replacing legacy systems with a government-owned, contractor-operated service model. The contract mandates the delivery of agile software development, integration services, and comprehensive credential management, including applicant sponsorship and biometric submissions. Future phases of the USAccess 2.0 program will integrate mobile credentials and post-quantum standards as security policies evolve.
Timeline
The GSA launched the USAccess program in 2007.
Peraton won the previous USAccess contract in 2017.
The GSA issued the initial solicitation for the new contract in December 2024.
The GSA took corrective action on the contract award in April 2026.
Peraton withdrew its protest of the contract award in September 2026.
Market Landscape
The transition to the USAccess 2.0 model aligns with the federal push toward zero trust security architectures. This shift follows years of infrastructure evolution since the program began in 2007.
Operators in the federal technology space should monitor the GSA's Office of Shared Services Delivery for additional shifts toward contractor-operated models. Businesses providing similar identity or security software should track requirements for post-quantum and mobile-ready credentials.
The takeaway
The GSA's pivot to a contractor-operated model for credentialing highlights a deepening commitment to agile, modular security infrastructure. Technology providers should evaluate whether their product roadmaps align with the shift toward mobile and post-quantum readiness required in the federal sector.
Further reading
For broader context on how agencies manage identity security for distributed workforces, visit Remote Work.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Federal News Network.
Live Poll
Do you trust private contractors to securely manage sensitive government infrastructure and personal identity data?
